Rotary spring-motor



(No Model.) 2 Sheets-811Mb 1.

M. H. WILSON. ROTARY SPRING MOTOR.

Patented Dec; 14, 1897.

No. 595,360. Q

(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

H. WILSON. ROTARY SPRING MOTOR.

No. 595,360. Patented Deo.14.1897.

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NI'IED STATES ATENT rica.

ROTARY SP RlN G-MOTO R.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 595,360, dated December 14, 1897.

' Application filed June 12, 1896.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, MICHAEL HOFFMAN WILSON, of the city of Brooklyn, in the county of Kings and State of New York,have invented a new and useful Improvement in Rotary Spring-Motors, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to spring-motors in which the spring or springs from the tension or resiliency of whichthe motive force is derived have their length arranged circumferentially or spirally around the axis of rotation of the motor. The improvement consists in certain combinations hereinafter described and claimed, including a spring or springs so arranged.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 represents a side elevation of one example of a rotary motor embodying my invention. Fig. 2 represents a transverse section taken in the line 2 2 of Fig. 1, omitting the framing and the gearing and showing the spring or spring-sections unwound. Fig. 3 is a diagram showing some of the springs and the carriers and supporting-shafts with the springs wound to their maximum limit of tension. Figs. 4 and 5 represent opposite face views of one of the spring-carriers. Fig. 6 represents an edge view of the same. Fig. '7 represents in part a side elevation and in part a vertical section of another example of a rotary spring-motor embodying my invention. Fig. 8 represents a transverse vertical section in the line 8 8 of Fig. 7. Fig. 9 represents in section a modification of parts of what is shown in Fig. 7.

Similar letters of reference designate corresponding parts in all the figures.

I will first describe the example of my invention illustrated in Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6.

A A designate standards supporting a stationary shaft B, which constitutes the axis of rotation of the motor. On this shaft B are arranged twogears O and D, the gear 0 being the main winding' gear of the motor and the gearD being the power-transmitting gear. Between these two gears there are arranged side by side along the shaft a series-or train of spring-carriers E E E*, which are fitted to turn freely on the shaft. In this example of my invention these carriers have the form of Serial rmteazti. (No model.)

arms or spokes. The contiguous carriers throughout the series are connected together by springs F, represented as helical springs, which alternate with the carriers along and around the shaft. These springs may be considered as sections of a continuous spring. The winding-gear C and power-transmitting gear D are respectively connected with their adjacent carriers E by similar spring-sections.

In Figs. 1, 2, and 3, c and d designate studs on the gears O and D, respectively, by which their respective spring-sections are connected. The springformed by the train of springsections arranges itself with the axis of its primary helix in the form of a secondary helix around the main shaft B or axis of rotation of the motor, as illustrated by Fig. 1. By making the shaft of suitable length and applying a sufficient number of carriers and spring sections the spring or springtrain may be continued helically several times around the shaft, and so be made of great length and capable of storing and giving out a great amount of power. The main winding-gear O is represented as having geared with it a winding-pinion G, and has applied to it a stop-pawl a to retain the spring in its wound condition. The powertransmittin g gear D may transmit its power through any train of speed-multiplying gearing. The said gear D is represented as a bevel-gear gearing with a bevel-pinion II, on the shaft of which is a large spur-gear I to gear with a 'pinion or smaller gear. (Not shown.) In this example of my invention the springs in their normal or unwound condition (shown in Fig. 2) have their coils close, and the tension by which they develop motive power is obtained by the elongation produced by winding them in the direction of the arrows shown in Figs. 2 and 3. In order to prevent any of the said springs from being overstrained, it is desirable to check the winding of every one of them at a determined maximum limit of tension. This Iaccomplish by providing on each of the carriers a stop consisting of a lateral projection e, which stops against the shoulder f on the next carrier, or in the case of the last carrier against a projection f (see Fig. 1) on the power-transmitting gear. The winding-gear O has on it a stop 6 to come into operation on the shoulder f of the first carrier E of the series. By the construction of the carriers with stops and shoulders, as above described, which is fully illustrated in Figs. 4:, 5, and 6, when the springs are completely wound, as shown in Fig. 3, all are subject to the same tension, none being overstrained.

Two or more springs like F may be applied at different distances from the shaft B between the contiguous carriers E and between the winding and power-transmitting gears and the adjacent carriers. This may be understood by reference to Figs. 2 and 3, where an additional spring F is shown in dotted outline between two of the carriers, or instead of duplicating the springs in this way they may be duplicated by springs one within another.

The example of my invention represented in Figs. 7, S, and 9 only differs from that shown in Figs. 1, 2, 3, a, 5, and 6 in that the spring-carriers E instead of being in the form of simple arms or spokes are in the form of disks or wheels, in one face of each of which is a groove or grooves g for the reception of springs F,and the said springs are constructed to have the tension produced in them by compression, the several carriers being furnished with projections 7L on their backs which enter the grooves g of the adjacent carriers, and abutments i being provided in the grooves. The springs are placed in the grooves g of the disks or carriers, and thus they alternate with the carriers lengthwise of the shaft, each abutting between the projection h of one and the abutment t' of the next carrier, and their winding to compress them to the necessary tension is effected by the turning of the wind ing-wheel, which produces the compression of the several springs one after the other between h and 2'. Each of the springs may, when extended fully, entirely or nearly surround the shaft, but when compressed they may extend only half-way or less around the shaft, as shown in Fig. 8. The power is developed and transmitted to the transmitting gear D by the extension of the several springs F. In Figs. 7, 8, and 0 I have shown the projections has cast on the carriers and the abutments i made of blocks secured in the grooves g by screws j. In carrying out my invention according to the example just described there maybe any number of springs, spring-sections, or series or trains thereof arranged at different distances from the main shaft B. For instance, in Figs. '7 and 8 I have shown two series of springs so arranged. Fig. 9 shows only a single series.

\Vhat I claim as my invention is- 1. In a rotary spring-motor, the combination of a motor-shaft, a winding device and a power-transmitting device upon said shaft, and a helical spring connected with said winding and power-transmitting devices and having the axis of its primary helix arranged in the form of a secondary helix around said shaft between said devices, substantially as herein described.

2. In a rotary spring-motor, the combination of a shaft, a series of separate springcarriers arranged side by side along the said shaft to turn separately thereon, and springsections arranged between and connected with the adjacent carriers of the series to form a spring-train running around the said shaft in spiral relation thereto, substantially as herein described.

3. In a rotary spring-motor, the combination of a shaft, a winding-gear and a powertransmitting gear arranged independently on said shaft, spring-carriers arranged side by side along the said shaft to turn separately thereon, and coil-springsections arranged between and alternating with said carriers and between said gears and their adjacent springcarriers with the axes of their coils transverse to the said shaft and connected to said carriers and gears, substantially as herein described.

4. In a rotary spring-motor, the combination of a shaft, spring-carriers arranged side by side along said shaft to turn separately thereon, spring-sections interposed between and alternating with and connected to said carriers with their length transverse to the shaft, means for turning said carriers on the shaft to apply tension to said spring-sections, and stops on said carriers to check the said spring-sections at a maximum limit of tension, substantially as herein described.

MICHAEL HOFFMAN IVILSON.

Witnesses:

FREDK. HAYNES, L. M. EGBERT. 

